The Memories I Left

by Brendan D.

When I was a boy I had many memories

I lived in a hamlet in Vietnam

We had many dangers such as snakes and thieves

Yet our hamlet was abandoned because of the destruction of war

All I have is memories of the time I was young

Of our rivers, mountainsides, and our big setting sun

Our hut with its thin monkey bridge

Of the greatness of the Faithful One

and the trickery of the Flatterer

The graceful beauty of my grandmother

With her fun, youthful plays

Her talent in karate that gave my grandfather honor

My devious herd of water buffalos and sneaky thieves

The death of grandmother - she died proudly

These are what’s left of my memories